Urchin Campsite
Kaimanawa Forest Park
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Urchin Campsite
This popular site makes a good base for hunting, tramping, walking and mountain biking with a variety of tracks close by.
Urchin Camping Ground is quite and remote. A great place to base yourself and cycle Tree Trunk Gorge, the Pillars of Hercules or go tramping. There is no water here - the closest water can be found 2km up the road.
Notices
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SH1 (Desert Road) closure – no access from SH1 from Monday 3 February
From Monday 3 February SH1 Tūrangi to Waiouru (the Desert Road) will be completely closed to public access. There will be no access to DOC campsites, huts or tracks.
NZTA have experienced a high number of visitors asking for access through the live work site and are no longer able to safely accommodate this.
Access is closed from Monday 3 February until around mid-March, for the following sites:
- Kaimanawa Road short walks (Kaimanawa Forest Loop, Urchin Campsite to Pillars of Hercules)
- Tree Trunk Gorge tracks
- Mt Urchin Trig Track
- Urchin Track (to Waipakihi Valley)
- Urchin to Umukarikari (U2U) track
- Umukarikari Track (to Waipakihi Hut)
- Thunderbolt Track
- Waipakihi Middle Range Route
- Historic Waihohonu Hut Track
- Urchin Campsite
- Kaimanawa Road Campsite
- Waipakihi Valley (Waipakihi Road end to Waipakihi Hut)
- Southern Access Corridor
- Tukino Access Road
- Rangipo Hut when accessing via SH1/Tukino Access Road
- Whangaehu Hut when accessing via SH1/Tukino Access Road
- Waihohonu Campsite when accessing via SH1
- Waihohonu Hut when accessing via SH1
- Oturere Campsite when accessing via SH1
- Oturere Hut when accessing via SH1
DOC Campsite Pricing
Urchin Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
DOC Basic Campsite
Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Central North IslandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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5.0/5
We stayed just a night, will definitely be back.
We're in a 7metre 2WD Sprinter and took the road slow, didn't have any issues as right now it's in good condition. Some of the time it is very thin though, wouldn't want to meet another us coming the other way. Campsite was lovely, not huge but we found a nice private spot. A lot of hunting going on when we were there. Had a fire, was lovely. No phone signal. Find us Insta if you're touring @saltyskin
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2.0/5
Acceptable just as a stop over if you are only tenting- we stayed two nights as we were doing the Tongariro Alpine crossing but wouldn't recommend more than that.
There was one picnic table which was in use by people who seemed like they were there long term, and one more small wooden table down in a corner where only one site can be set up. Long drop was absolutely horrendous. Not a whole lot of room for more than 5 sites. Close by to the alpine crossing which was all we were there for!
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4.0/5
Quiet place with many tracks to follow by walk for trecking!
Not many places but still good to go because it is in the middle of the forest
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3.5/5
Small campsite in the thick of the forest.
Beautiful surroundings! It was a bit busy over easter weekend but we found a spot for our van. It's a reasonable drive in on a gravel road. There is a toilet (with loo paper!) but no running water. Some amazing walking tracks nearby. I'd definitely recommend.
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4.0/5
The road was pretty sketchy for our 7m camper and Google map has it in the wrong place.
Once you arrive it’s a lovely little spot but we decided not to stay as four car loads just turned up to camp and we thought it would be pretty noisy! Would try another time though.
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4.0/5
Beautiful spot.
Uncrowded in the height of summer. Surrounded by beautiful beech forest and great walks/ mountain bike tracks. Lots of birds, kaka song. Lots of space. BUT the long drop was unusable, piled up just below the seat and a stench that had me retching. Consequently lots of loo roll and sanitary wrappers in the nearby bit of wood. Grim.
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5.0/5
Can be difficult to find when looking at google maps, be careful to look at the signs when driving deeper into the trees.
Lots of space, beautiful surrounding bush, walking tracks nearby, a basic toilet. Would definitely go back!
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5.0/5
Clean long drop, small open fire area and table, good secluded camping spots next to great tracks, 10/10
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4.0/5
We stayed one night in our car.
Joined by one other car later in the night. One long drop toilet no lighting but had toilet paper! Nice wee spot surrounded by bush. Feels remote but is actually quite close to main roads. We lit a small fire using some of the fallen branches from the bush around us. We really enjoyed it!
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4.0/5
You are right in the middle of the forest...secluded area and quite calm.
At 20:00 it begins to get busy and fill up. There are like 10 spaces. Basic drop loo. Just keep in mind is bumpy road to arrive, maybe not best for big caravans. Very good option for free camp next to Tongariro.
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4.0/5
Nice camp ground and quiet stayed 2 days set up hammock in trees had a fire going basic toilet No water bring your own , nice loop walk in forest but not marked and track to tree trunk gorge starts
there
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5.0/5
We stayed just a night, will definitely be back.
We're in a 7metre 2WD Sprinter and took the road slow, didn't have any issues as right now it's in good condition. Some of the time it is very thin though, wouldn't want to meet another us coming the other way. Campsite was lovely, not huge but we found a nice private spot. A lot of hunting going on when we were there. Had a fire, was lovely. No phone signal. Find us Insta if you're touring @saltyskin
-
2.0/5
Acceptable just as a stop over if you are only tenting- we stayed two nights as we were doing the Tongariro Alpine crossing but wouldn't recommend more than that.
There was one picnic table which was in use by people who seemed like they were there long term, and one more small wooden table down in a corner where only one site can be set up. Long drop was absolutely horrendous. Not a whole lot of room for more than 5 sites. Close by to the alpine crossing which was all we were there for!
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4.0/5
Quiet place with many tracks to follow by walk for trecking!
Not many places but still good to go because it is in the middle of the forest
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3.5/5
Small campsite in the thick of the forest.
Beautiful surroundings! It was a bit busy over easter weekend but we found a spot for our van. It's a reasonable drive in on a gravel road. There is a toilet (with loo paper!) but no running water. Some amazing walking tracks nearby. I'd definitely recommend.
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4.0/5
The road was pretty sketchy for our 7m camper and Google map has it in the wrong place.
Once you arrive it’s a lovely little spot but we decided not to stay as four car loads just turned up to camp and we thought it would be pretty noisy! Would try another time though.
-
4.0/5
Beautiful spot.
Uncrowded in the height of summer. Surrounded by beautiful beech forest and great walks/ mountain bike tracks. Lots of birds, kaka song. Lots of space. BUT the long drop was unusable, piled up just below the seat and a stench that had me retching. Consequently lots of loo roll and sanitary wrappers in the nearby bit of wood. Grim.
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5.0/5
Can be difficult to find when looking at google maps, be careful to look at the signs when driving deeper into the trees.
Lots of space, beautiful surrounding bush, walking tracks nearby, a basic toilet. Would definitely go back!
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5.0/5
Clean long drop, small open fire area and table, good secluded camping spots next to great tracks, 10/10
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4.0/5
We stayed one night in our car.
Joined by one other car later in the night. One long drop toilet no lighting but had toilet paper! Nice wee spot surrounded by bush. Feels remote but is actually quite close to main roads. We lit a small fire using some of the fallen branches from the bush around us. We really enjoyed it!
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4.0/5
Nice camp ground and quiet stayed 2 days set up hammock in trees had a fire going basic toilet No water bring your own , nice loop walk in forest but not marked and track to tree trunk gorge starts
there
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4.0/5
You are right in the middle of the forest...secluded area and quite calm.
At 20:00 it begins to get busy and fill up. There are like 10 spaces. Basic drop loo. Just keep in mind is bumpy road to arrive, maybe not best for big caravans. Very good option for free camp next to Tongariro.
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4.5/5
Nice quiet campground, got a little lost when I turned into the first campground but so happy I found this one.
Long drop toilet, couple of fire pits and benches. Good place for stargazing
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4.0/5
Good area.
Designated spots for fires, good sized tables. . Enjoyed the walks and the wildlife.
Toilet was a bit grubby and dark once door shut and area smelt a little.
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4.5/5
Very scenic spot in the middle of the forest.
No shower, but simple toilet facilities available. You have to drive 15 minutes on a gravel road to get here, but it was doable with an old campervan. Really worth it, however, beware of the bugs that show up at night. From here it is 25 minutes driving to the Tongariro shuttle pick up point.
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4.0/5
Was a nice spot off of the beaten track.
Great trails starting from the campsite. Lot’s of space and very clean long drop toilets. No water.
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3.5/5
It's a nice little camp with space for about 10 cars.
The drop loo was just awful, barely usable. But if you're there for the crossing it's a perfect space for one night since only 20 minutes from the finishing car park. Bring your own water since the next spot was about 2km to walk.
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5.0/5
You need to turn at the power plant sign and from there it is signposted.
Basic toilets, large field with multiple fire pits. Running water is at the stream, a bit of a walk down a forest path. Lots of insects buzzing but they do not bite.
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4.5/5
Definitely one of the best spots in the area.
Good fire pits, wide open grassy areas with trees for shade and access to the beautiful Tree Trunk Gorge walking/mountain biking track. Top notch
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